2005 Maybach Materium Review
Last April I was first introduced to the 2004 Maybach Materium Cabernet and I
really loved the 2004 release. Many of my readers also picked up the
Materium and sent me glowing reviews.
So, I was excited to be invited by Chris Maybach to attend a private tasting
in New York at the famous National Arts Club in Gramercy Park. This
historic building was a perfect setting for a wine tasting.
Prior to heading to New York for the Maybach event I had been tasting the new releases from California from the
2005 vintage. To be honest, I was getting worried that some of the new
wineries I covered in 2004 had made completely different wines in '05.
The 2005 Buccella Cabernet
was a very different wine than the stellar 2004 version.
Chris Maybach supplied the 2005 Maybach Materium for the tasting which was
just released as well as a barrel sample of the 2006 vintage. The 2005 was
closed with stronger than preferred tannins and a masculine nose. I was
shocked at the difference of the 2005 and 2004 at the same stage. I asked
by friend, who is also a fan of Maybach, who attend the event with me what his
thoughts were. His email stated:
"The 2005 seemed young and tannic to me with a short finish. I was more
impressed with the 2006 barrel sample, which reminded me of the 2004: sweeter
with softer tannins and less acidity. I'm glad I had the opportunity to try the
2005; now I know to let it age for a couple of years before I open one of my
bottles. I'd say the jury is still out on the 2005, but the 2006 looks like
another homerun."
My friend's comments confirmed exactly what I experienced. The 2006
Maybach Materium seems in the same pedigree of the 2004 vintage with the 2005 up
for grabs. The 2005
Buccella Cabernet and 2005 Maybach Materium have equally confused by palette
with no clear indication of how to rate these wines.
Only time will tell. If you can find a bottle of the 2005 Maybach send me a
note and tell me what you think. I will retest the 2005 Maybach in six
months and score the wine. For now, I can not recommend that you purchase
the wine. Here are some stats on the 2005 Maybach:
2005 Maybach Materium
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa-Oakville
- winemaker: Thomas Brown
- 614 cases
I strongly recommend that you get on the
Maybach Family Vineyards
mailing list. The 2006 vintage looks extremely promising and you will not
want to miss out on that wine. If you fill out the form below, I will make
an introduction for you to Chris Maybach.
Brian Pasch - April 19, 2008
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Maybach Family Vineyards
PO Box 360
Vineburg, CA 95487
www.materium.com
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